United States Tribute to 9/11 on its 8th anniversary

As the nation remembers the 8th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, many still struggle to find the appropriate way of paying tribute to the victims.

Here are just a few ways the country is paying its respects:

The National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum launched a Web site on Thursday that is collecting citizen journalism stories and videos of the story as told by them.”They say that 9/11 was the most digitally documented event of all time,” said Alice Greenwald, director of the planned museum. “We’re asking people everywhere to help us tell the story.”

A private team of filmmakers called CameraPlanet has submitted over 500 hours of video from the day and its aftermath. Among the video clips is one rarely seen of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center ( Warning: Viewer discretion is advised; the video shows the moment the second plane hits the Twin Towers).This year marks the first time Sept. 11 has been declared a national day of service. Americans planned beach cleanups, packages for soldiers and fundraisers. The Web site, 911dayofservice.org , lists activities that people can participate in, as well as a place where you can share what your plans are.When the sun goes down on Friday, lower Manhattan will bear witness once again to the Tribute in Light — massive search lights that are beamed straight into the sky that resemble the Twin Towers.The Friday night lights will be shining for more than just high school football players. Around the country, schools are paying their respects to those who died in the attacks and served in the two wars that followed.
In Ohio, New Albany High School will hold a moment of silence before its game against DeSales. Groveport Madison, just outside of Columbus, is painting a red, white and blue ribbon on both sides of the field.In Florida, ROTC cadets will hand out mini flags to fans who attend the game between Fort Pierce Central and Melbourne in St. Lucie County. The flag will be dropped to half staff during a pregame remembrance of those who have died, then raised again once the game begins.

A Sept. 11 lesson plan will be tested this year at schools in New York City, California, New Jersey, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas. The curriculum was developed with the help of the Sept. 11 Education Trust and will be taught through videos, lessons and interactive exercises, including one that requires students to use Google Earth software to help map global terrorist activity.